Augathella's 80 years of rodeo

This year, the Augathella Diggers Rodeo Association will celebrate 80 years of Rodeo in Augathella, at this year’s annual Easter rodeo on March 30.

In 1933 the inaugural Augathella Rodeo was organised to raise money for the Convent Benefit Fund.

The Rodeo has served various organisations since then, raising much-needed funds for local community organisations, such as the Augathella Hospital, the Queensland Country Woman's Association, the World War II Comfort Fund, Charleville and Augathella ambulance, Augathella Rugby League Club and the Returned Services League.

Acting Augathella Diggers Rodeo Association president Keith Clarke said it was shaping up to be a fantastic event, thanks to the volunteer efforts of the district and the attendance of many Augathella ex-pats heading home for the Easter long weekend.

“The rodeo is very well supported and it has a rich history because the event puts so much back into the community. It’s going to be a big weekend.

“We have a population of about 500 and to get a crowd of 500 each year is pretty good for us.

“We have always had very vocal crowd and they really support good rides.”

THE annual Augathella Easter rodeo will hold a full rodeo program of Saddle Bronc, Bare Back, Bull Rides, Steer Rides, Steer Wrestling, Rope n Tie, Breakaway Roping, Team Roping, Steer Undecorating, and Barrel Racing, with trophies for all winners.

A special novelty open bareback barrel race, junior bareback Shetlands, and a mule ride will also feature in the rodeo line-up.

There’ll be an official ‘80 years of rodeo’ ceremony with awards and prizemoney presented by 1950s and 60s rodeo rider legends Ashley McKay and Trevor Christenson.

Contemporary country music legend Neil Duddy, promises to keep the party atmosphere going, playing live music until late into the night.

Various food stalls will be on site and a licenced bar and canteen will operate from 10am until midnight.

To celebrate 80 years of rodeo, there will be plenty of memorabilia and old rodeo videos from the 1980s playing on a big screen television, slide shows of old rodeo photos and newspaper reports from the very first rodeo in 1933.

Mr Clarke said another reason to celebrate Augathella’s rich rodeo history, was the riders to come out of the district.

Fred Lawton, a well-known Aboriginal rider from the 1930s, went on to compete at the Sydney Rodeo Show rodeo Championships.

“He was a top line competitor and one of the greatest people to come out of the Augathella rodeo competition. He was a wonderful, generous man.”

For the past five years, all rodeo profits had gone back into upgrading and refurbishing the Augathella rodeo Grounds.

“Over $500,000 has gone back into redevelopment of the grounds,” he said.

“A lot of work has gone into the redevelopment and it’s a very well-used centre.”

Apart from the rodeo competitions, the grounds are used frequently by the Augathella Diggers Campdraft Association and the local pony club group, as well as being a very popular lay-over spot for travellers and their horses heading north for mustering or south for competition events.

New facilities now include 24 covered stables, underground water and power, a new viewing mound, separate campdraft and rodeo arenas and yards, cement floors and new toilet facilities.

Organisers expect hundreds of locals to turn out for the Easter rodeo and long weekend, as well as many old returning Augathella residents, to celebrate eight decades of rodeo riding, a tradition that their ancestors forged into a history rich in community spirit and dedication.

An Augathella school and teachers reunion is also planned for Easter Sunday, as well as a race day on Easter Monday.